Open house: What should be done to streamline the parking woes?

Reallocate existing parking lots

Parking remains one of the major issues faced by the city dwellers today. Ongoing flyover and road construction projects across the city have further reduced available parking spaces. For instance, at Bharat Nagar Chowk, the space has become so congested that managing the heavy traffic has become increasingly difficult. To address this issue, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Multi-level parking structures should be introduced to maximise vertical space, especially in densely populated areas. Parking lots can be built on the outskirts of the city and connected to public transit systems to reduce parking demand in the inner city. Additionally, vacant plots or government land should be converted into parking lots where feasible. In Ludhiana, the six existing parking lots should be reallocated promptly to prevent unfair charges from being imposed on people. Implementing these steps will significantly increase parking availability and ease the burden on city residents.

Kirandeep Kaur

Construct facilities in congested areas

To address the parking challenges amidst heavy traffic, the local administration must take several essential steps within and around the city. All inner-city roads should be recarpeted and encroachments in front of shops should be removed, besides imposing penalties on violators. A dedicated parking facility must be created near markets, particularly in areas with heavy traffic. To encourage the use of these parking lots, a minimal fee should be charged. Police personnel should be deployed in areas where haphazard parking has become the order of the day to ensure strict surveillance and prompt action against offenders. The local administration should also install 'no parking signs' across the city. Additionally, the administration should promote electric vehicles to to reduce pollution. Besides, inspection teams can be constituted to inspect the designated parking lots. Also, residents must adhere to parking rules and park only in authorised spaces.

Farzana Khan

Minimal fee should be charged

The parking issue caused by heavy traffic in Ludhiana is a complex problem affecting all residents, whether they own vehicles or not, as it leads to frequent traffic jams. To resolve the issue, the local government must construct multi-storey parking complexes, with proper amenities, and appoint the required staff to assist the users. Parking on roads must be strictly prohibited. Additionally, shopkeepers should be instructed to remove any encroachments blocking the roads. Roads should be properly marked and signboards installed for better traffic management. People must abide by the rules and park their vehicles in the designated places to avoid traffic congestion. A minimal parking fee, similar to that in Chandigarh, should be implemented to ensure that more people use the parking lots. Contractors must display a rate list at the entrance of each parking lot. Heavy fines should be imposed on those who park improperly on the roads, and contractors charging above the listed rates should face penalties and have their licenses revoked. In congested areas, heavy vehicles should be restricted from entering crowded areas during peak hours. People should also cooperate with the local administration to ease the parking woes in and around the city.

Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Establish dedicated department

Ludhiana is a densely populated and complex city, which is why, despite having numerous parks, commuters often face traffic jams and waste valuable time during peak hours trying to navigate through congestion, causing delays. The municipal corporation should establish a dedicated parking department for managing the city's parking facilities. This department should focus on creating additional parking spaces, particularly in areas with heavy traffic, such as in front of malls, showrooms and large stores, where congestion has become a common sight. When parking is unavailable near these establishments, people often park their vehicles on nearby streets, causing further jams and inconveniencing others. It is the municipal corporation's responsibility to ensure there are adequate parking spaces across the city to reduce traffic congestion.

Sucha Sagar

Strengthen public transport system

Parking facilities must be increased in Ludhiana. Traffic jams in and near various markets have become frequent in the city. The municipal corporation must find suitable land near these places for building new parking places, especially in the old city. This will certainly ease the situation here. Ludhiana is a smart city and, therefore, it must have proper facilities to ease the traffic congestion. As the number of vehicles in the city is increasing every day, the need for more parking facilities has also increased. Further, the rates for parking different kinds of vehicles in the parking places must be fixed by the authorities and it must be ensured that the contractors do not overcharge the users. At present, many contractors are charging more than the prescribed rates, which is discouraging many people from using the parking facilities. Unlike the traditional markets, new malls coming up in the city have proper parking facilities for the convenience of the people. Another way to increase parking facilities in the city is that the municipal corporation must construct new parking lots for the public use. Also, public transport facilities should be strengthened so that those parking their vehicles at a distance can reach the markets easily. Such efforts will help in improving the situation across the city.

Gautam Dev

Multi-faceted solution required

To handle Ludhiana's parking issues, a multifaceted solution is required. To begin, the installation of multi-level parking facilities in busy places such as markets and commercial hubs is critical. These buildings can handle a greater number of vehicles, freeing up valuable street space. Second, implementing a complete parking management system, which includes digital technologies, can improve parking operations. This system may include real-time parking availability information, online booking, and cashless payment alternatives. Furthermore, effective enforcement of parking restrictions and fines for breaches can discourage unlawful parking while encouraging responsible parking behaviour. By adopting these techniques, Ludhiana can improve its parking infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion.

Tamanpreet Kaur Khangura

Expedite re-auction of existing parking lots

Parking in Ludhiana has become a significant challenge due to the growing number of vehicles and limited parking space. The situation is exacerbated by the delay in the re-auction of six key parking lots for over a year. To streamline the parking system, several measures can be taken. First, it is essential to expedite the re-auction process of the parking lots. Delays in auctioning have led to underutilisation of available space, further worsening the problem. The city should ensure timely allocation and management of these lots to maximise their usage. Second, the implementation of multi-level parking structures in high-density areas could significantly increase the capacity. These structures can be built in existing open spaces, reducing congestion while utilising vertical space efficiently. Additionally, introducing smart parking solutions, such as apps that inform drivers about available spaces, can reduce the time spent searching for parking. This technology would also allow for better management of parking spaces and avoid overcrowding. Encouraging the use of public transportation and carpooling can help to reduce the overall number of vehicles on the road, thus lessening the pressure on parking spaces. With a combination of better infrastructure, technology, and awareness campaigns, Ludhiana can effectively address its parking issues.

parmeet

MORE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS needed

As cities continue to expand, the issue of parking has become an increasingly pressing concern. This is especially true for Ludhiana where there are more cars than available parking spaces. One must drive around looking for an available spot while keeping an eye out for other vehicles so that they do not collide. This not only wastes time but also contributes to increased traffic congestion and air pollution. Furthermore, the scarcity of parking spaces in city centres put a strain on people, especially those who rely on their cars for work or daily errands. The Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana is struggling to find a viable solution because the city lacks the infrastructure to meet the growing demand for space. In the face of these parking woes, it is clear that urban planning must evolve. To ensure a more sustainable and efficient use of urban spaces, Ludhiana Municipal Corporation should adopt more innovative solutions, such as smart parking and better integration of public transport systems. Smart parking systems can give drivers real-time information about available on-street parking spaces and direct them to the most convenient location. This shortens the time drivers spend looking for parking and alleviates congestion.

Novin Christopher

e-auctioning of lots to be done soon: mla

The Ludhiana Municipal Corporation is in the process of re-allotting the existing parking lots and it will be completed soon. We will be e-auctioning the parking lots and present contractors will be served notice regarding the same soon.

Gurpreet Gogi, mla ludhiana west